The future of Railway House, a former homeless hostel in Cambridge, is uncertain as developers submit plans to use the site as temporary office space. The boarded-up building, located next to Mill Road bridge, was acquired by Railpen in 2023. While the company initially planned to renovate the property into residential homes, a new application suggests a temporary shift in its use.
Temporary Offices for Construction Staff
Railpen has submitted a planning application to convert Railway House into temporary offices for construction workers involved in the Mill Yard development. If approved, the site will be used from March 2025 to January 2027, after which the long-term plan to refurbish it for housing may resume.
The developer argues that repurposing the vacant building will prevent it from falling further into disrepair. A cover letter included in the application states that the temporary use will help maintain the cottages and address local concerns about their deteriorating condition. The changes proposed are minimal, including the removal of outside screens and graffiti, as well as the installation of a disabled toilet.
Local Concerns Over Neglect
Residents near Mill Road have voiced concerns about the building’s current state. One long-time resident noted: “They look increasingly unloved and are covered in graffiti. I worry that they will become damp, damaged, and beyond repair.”
The site will only be in use during working hours, ensuring minimal disruption to the neighbourhood. Cambridge City Council is expected to decide on the application before April 15, 2025. Interested parties can view the application on the planning portal using reference 25/00604/FUL.
If approved, the site will serve as an office space for less than two years before being converted into homes. Whether the long-term plan for residential development proceeds remains to be seen. For now, its future hangs in the balance.
Update from Railpen
Media statement: Railway Cottages temporary use
Railpen has submitted a planning application (25/00604/FUL) requesting temporary change of use for Railway Cottages to support construction works at Mill Yard. The proposal aims to temporarily use Railway Cottages as site welfare offices and a knowledge and training hub for apprentices and new hires, contributing to local workforce development throughout the construction period.
Current planning rules do not permit the buildings’ use by the site’s construction workers without this change of use approval. The proposed change from residential to commercial use is strictly short-term. The planning application includes a commitment to revert the cottages to their original residential classification once construction is completed (expected in January 2027).
During the temporary use, external works will enhance the site’s appearance, including the removal of graffiti and exterior screens. Internally, the cottages will undergo light refurbishment, including the removal of old fixtures, new flooring, and repainting, ensuring the buildings remain in good condition while avoiding deterioration from being left vacant.
Railpen is committed to protecting and preserving Railway Cottages and recognises the building’s value to the community and will ensure that any works are sensitive to its heritage while aligning with modern performance standards.
For more information, please contact us at info@millyardcambridge.com.
